Nevsun Eritrea

VANCOUVER, BC - Nevsun Resources Ltd. (TSX: NSU / NYSE Amex: NSU) (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony (“Tony”) Ferguson as an independent director, bringing the number of directors of the Company to six.

After retiring in February 2012, from a 25-year investment banking career in Australia, Asia and Canada, most recently with Macquarie Capital as Senior Managing Director and Chairman of Global Natural Resources for six years, Mr. Ferguson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in Finance as well as Geotechnical, Civil and Mining Engineering.

Currently resident in Australia, he has held executive roles with N.M. Rothschild & Sons, Macquarie Bank and UBS London after having achieved an MBA with high distinction from IMI Geneva, Switzerland, and a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from the University of Sydney. Mr. Ferguson is Chairman of the Australian-based industrial energy saving business Volterra Technologies.

“On behalf of the board, we are very pleased to welcome Tony, who we believe will add valuable strength to our board through his extensive international banking experience, as the Company grows over the next few years”, commented Cliff Davis, President and CEO.

Mr. Ferguson was recommended to the board by the Company’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, after an extensive search and interviewing process involving several potential candidates.

2011 Annual Financial Results Release Date

The Company also advises that 2011 results will be released March 21 after close of trading with a conference call following on Thursday March 22.